Why is KCR dodging on letter to Modi?

August 07 , 2017 | UPDATED 21:05 IST

Telangana Rashtra Samithi president and chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who was supposed to dash off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday itself, strongly protesting against the imposition of GST on the ongoing projects in the state, seems to have beaten a retreat, at least for now.

While the official sources say KCR was delaying the letter only to present a complete data of the loss to be incurred to the state, political sources say the chief minister wants to bring psychological pressure on the BJP by threatening to move the court.

The TRS government is strongly opposing levying of 12 per cent GST on the ongoing projects such as drinking water schemes, irrigation projects and laying of roads.

According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the government has embarked upon a detailed exercise to work out the exact figures pertaining to the additional burden on the government due to the GST that came into effect a month ago.

KCR has also told them that the reports should have exact and minute details about the amount of works that have already been completed with regard to each project and what would be the exact quantum of additional burden on the state exchequer if they have to be taken up as per 12 per cent GST.

He said before knocking on the doors of the court, the state government should make a powerful plea with the Centre based on impeccable details of the burden the state would have to bear. If the Centre refuses to consider the request, then they should approach the court, KCR told the officials.

However, legal authorities reportedly told KCR that the courts do not have any jurisdiction in this regard since the bill was passed by Parliament giving powers to the GST Council.